ASHLAND, Ky. (Aug. 10, 2013, 7 PM) – Efforts to repair and reopen Ashland’s damaged 12th Street bridge are ahead of schedule tonight as contractors have installed a new steel beam to replace one damaged in a truck crash.

Remaining work, which includes tightening connections on the replacement beam, painting exposed steel, traffic control changes and inspections, will push the project into Sunday as expected. However, barring any unforeseen complications, the bridge could now reopen before Monday morning.

The detour on eastbound US 52 in Ohio has ended but other traffic changes remain in place:

-Kentucky-bound US 52 traffic will continue to use the 13th Street bridge that was converted to two-way traffic. Delays and backups remain possible. And, US 23 remains restricted at the Kentucky end of the bridge.

Once the repair project is complete and the 12th Street bridge is deemed safe, traffic signals will be reactivated and it will be reopened. Electronic message boards will be used to advise motorists.

After the bridge is reopened, work to remove traffic control devices – including temporary pavement markings will require several days, during which time the 13th Street bridge will remain restricted to two lanes outbound from Kentucky to Ohio. In addition, the lane restriction on Winchester Avenue (US 23) in Ashland could remain in place for several days. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and watch for changing traffic patterns through next week.

The 12th Street bridge, which carries traffic across the river between US 52 at Coal Grove and US 23 in downtown Ashland, was damaged in late May when a truck crashed into the Ohio approach span – bending and twisting a steel support. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet fast-tracked a repair contract and awarded it June 19 to Evers Welding Co. Inc. of Cincinnati.

To keep the public up to date with what happened and with repair plans, the Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 has established a web page with detailed traffic maps, a traffic cam link, current bridge status, a project timeline and other information.